Lots of Tiny Studios OK at 401 Broadway

A modern-looking, five-story building to house 48 tiny studios and a restaurant with no on-site parking will be built at the "prominent" corner of 4th and Broadway.

The City Council Tuesday night approved the development at the .17 acre-plot, currently vacant and one block from the future light rail downtown station.

In approving the project at 401 Broadway, the council raised concerns about the high number of single room occupancy units being built across the city.

"In the future, we need to recognize that there's not only young people [who want to live in] downtown, but families, too," said Councilwoman Gleam Davis.

The units will be marketed to those living in downtown and who don't own cars. Mayor Richard Bloom called efforts to reduce reliance on cars a “salutary goal."

The project's consultant said the "constrained" size of the site drove the need for 355-square-foot studios and eight slightly large one-bedroom units.

Under a development agreement approved by the council Tuesday night, six of the units will be set aside for renters with very low incomes, and the developer, Fourth and Broadway, LLC, will contribute $125,000 for Expo Light Rail station improvements.

Located in the city’s Downtown Parking Assessment District, the project is not required to and will not provide any on-site parking spaces.  Instead, there will be a two-level underground basement for commercial and residential amenities.

The ground floor includes a prominent corner retail entry, a covered arcade including outdoor seating for restaurant use and short-term bicycle parking for commercial and residential visitors.